Patent Application
20170156520
The present invention pertains to the field of domestic coverings, and more specifically to the field of tablecloths.
The warmth of the summer season makes it the perfect time of year to indulge in all manners of outdoor activities. From playing a spirited game of volleyball on a sand packed beach or lounging by a neighborhood pool to spending the day at the park or embarking on a camping adventure, people seek a myriad of ways to bask in this season's pleasantly balmy days and evenings. Perhaps a favorite summer pastime is enjoying an outdoor picnic or party. Whether planning a graduation or birthday party, a family get together or a weekend with friends, nothing like the ease of an outdoor meal celebrates the arrival of summer. Platters heaped with juicy burgers and hot dogs, succulently seared wings, tender grilled chicken breasts, delectably charred steaks and buttery corns on the cob are savory compliments to summertime gatherings of camaraderie and celebration.
While enjoying a picnic at a park, beach or backyard is a perfect way to have fun and relax with family and friends, these outdoor meals are often at the mercy of the weather. Summer rains and thunderstorms put a damper on picnic plans. Unpredictable bursts of wind is another daunting element that springs up at any given moment, even on the clearest and sunniest of days. Wind produces furious gusts without warning which is especially consternating when trying to picnic. A particular challenge faced by picnickers on a breezy day is trying to keep an outdoor tablecloth from blowing away. Typically fabricated of lightweight material, most outdoor tablecloths are no match for forceful wind gusts. Constantly having to pin down a table covering while trying to eat is hardly enjoyable or relaxing for picnickers. A wind gust easily lifts a tablecloth from a table surface, dumping platters of food on the ground or directly into a hapless eater's lap.
The prior art has put forth several designs for tablecloths. Among these are:
U.S. Pat. No. 7,757,614 to Hazel A. Nurse-Bey describes a tensioned tablecloth that includes a flexible and unitary body with a plurality of monolithically formed sides configured in such a manner to form a continuous perimeter extending about the body. The tablecloth includes a mechanism for retaining the body at a substantially flat and taut position during inclement weather conditions such that the body is prohibited from undesirably disengaging a top surface of the existing outdoor eating surface. Such a body retaining mechanism includes a single and unitary elastic band contiguously abutted against an interior face of the sides and traveling along an entire length of the perimeter. A plurality of primary and auxiliary bands cooperate with fasteners and are removably connected to the anchor band for providing a tensioned surface along the body.
US Patent Publication 2003/0015270 to James McClenahan and Kevin McClenahan describes an adjustable table cover system for covering a table having a circumference or perimeter which terminates at the table's lip. The adjustable table cover is provided with a sheet having a center, an outer perimeter and an intermediate channel region. The channel region is spaced at a greater radial distance relative to the table's circumference. The sheet has a table portion area between the channel region and the center and a skirt portion area located between the channel region and the outer perimeter. The table cover is secured by a securing means, such as a drawstring or an elastic ribbon, contained within the channel region. When the tablecloth is secured by activation of channel region which is radially spaced from the table's circumference, the skirt is vertically disposed relative to the table portion of the sheet.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,156,280 to Robert A. Affholter describes improved form fitting table covers characterized by the fact that a single cover is adapted for use with tables of reasonable varying top dimensions to cling in wrinkle free fashion, utilizing a novel stretch cling principle.
None of these prior art references describe the present invention.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a table covering integrated with a formatting elastic band around each outer corner for securing the covering to the table surface.
The present invention is a table cloth for covering a table surface. The table surface has an outer edge. The table cloth comprises a table cloth sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter edge. An elastic band is mounted to at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the table cloth sheet. The table cloth sheet is positionable upon the table surface with the bottom surface of the table cloth sheet contacting the table surface and the table cloth sheet is releasably securable upon the table surface with the elastic band being positionable below the outer edge of the table surface.
In addition the present invention includes a method for covering a table surface. The table surface has an outer edge. The method comprises providing a table cloth sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface and a perimeter edge, mounting an elastic band to at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the table cloth sheet, positioning the table cloth sheet upon the table surface with the bottom surface of the table cloth sheet contacting the table surface, positioning the elastic band below the outer edge of the table surface and releasably securing the table cloth sheet upon the table surface.
The present invention further includes a table cloth for covering a table surface. The table surface has an outer edge. The table doth comprises a rectangular table cloth sheet having a top surface, a bottom surface, a perimeter edge, and a plurality of corners. An elastic band is mounted to each of the corners at the perimeter edge of the table cloth sheet. The table cloth sheet is positionable upon the table surface with the bottom surface of the table cloth sheet contacting the table surface and the table cloth sheet is releasably securable upon the table surface with the elastic band being positionable below the outer edge of the table surface.
The present invention, hereinafter referred to as the Fitted Table Cloth, indicated generally at 10 is a table covering sheet 12 integrated with a form-fitting elastic band 14 around the perimeter or at each outer corner for securing the table covering sheet 12 to a table surface 16. The Fitted Table Cloth 10 provides outdoor dining enthusiasts with a tablecloth 12 that stays put even on the gustiest days. The Fitted Table Cloth 10 eliminates securement hassles inherent in loose, draping excess material common to standard tablecloths.
The Fitted Table Cloth 10 of the present invention comprises a table cloth sheet 12 having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter edge. Preferably, the table cloth sheet 12 is constructed from a durable vinyl material, similar to standard outdoor coverings. The vinyl material is the preferred material in that the vinyl material is inexpensive, easy to clean, and can withstand multiple uses. The table cloth sheet 12 of the Fitted Table Cloth 10 can also constructed from a cloth material for those traditionalists who are okay with washing and drying tablecloths after use.
The table cloth sheet 12 of the Fitted Table Cloth 10 of the present invention includes an elastic band 14 mounted around the perimeter of the table cloth sheet 12 or at corners of the table cloth sheet 12. Preferably, the elastic band 14 is stitched to the table cloth sheet 12 although mounting the elastic band 14 through other means including, but not limited to adhesive, welding, tacking, etc., is within the scope of the present invention.
The table cloth sheet 12 of the Fitted Table Cloth 10 of the present invention can be constructed in a variety of shapes including a polygon (i.e., square, rectangular, etc.), round, oval, etc. In the polygon embodiment of the table cloth sheet 12, the elastic band 14 can be mounted to the perimeter edge of the table cloth sheet 12 or a separate elastic band 14 can be mounted to each of the corners of the table cloth sheet 12. In the round and oval embodiments of the table cloth sheet 12, the elastic band 14 is mounted to the perimeter edge of the table cloth sheet 12.
The rectangular shaped table cloth sheet 12 of the Fitted Table Cloth 10 of the present invention preferably measures approximately one hundred thirty-two (132″) inches to approximately one hundred fifty-six inches (156″) in length and ninety (90″) inches in width. The table cloth sheet 12 of the Fitted Table Cloth 10 easily accommodates large tables such as picnic tables and banquet tables.
An array of color and pattern options are included in the line of table cloth sheets 12 of the Fitted Table Cloth 10 of the present invention, from understated solids and prints for day to day use to holiday themed tablecloths 12 for special occasions. Particularly unique to the Fitted Table Cloth 10 and what sets it apart from standard coverings is found in its aforementioned securement or hug ability. The hug ability is achieved by means of the elastic band 14 etched around the perimeter of the corners of the table cloth sheets 12. The Fitted Table Cloth 10 seamlessly covers table surfaces in much the same manner as a fitted bed sheet, with the elastic corners 14 functioning well and unseen underneath the table 16.
Extremely easy to use, the Fitted Table Cloth 10 of the present invention is adhered to and removed from a surface of a table 16 in a matter of seconds. A user selects the appropriate style color and size of the table cloth sheet 12 needed to cover a designated table 16. The user removes the table cloth sheet 12 of the Fitted Table Cloth 10 from its packaging, unfolds it, and spreads it across and up or down the table surface. The user tucks the elasticized portion 14 underneath the table surface at each corner and then adjusts the table cloth covering 12 lengthwise and widthwise to fit smoothly along edges of the table 16.
Eliminating a mandatory need to hold down the table cloth sheet 12 of the Fitted Table Cloth 10 of the present invention with one or both hands while trying to eat at the same time or use makeshift security methods such as tape or tacks, the strong elastic band 14 of the Fitted Table Cloth 10 of the present invention keeps the covering 12 and plates of food firmly secured to the table 16. Users of the Fitted Table Cloth 10 avoid wasted food, messy cleanups, and ruined clothing that results when a particular nasty wind gust sends a tablecloth of food flying. Outdoor diners are able to enjoy their meals in a relaxed and hassle free manner. The Fitted Table Cloth 10 also functions to thwart mischievous pranksters, children or pets from pulling table cloths away from outdoor tables. The Fitted Table Cloth 10 is highly effective for use on any occasion whether birthday parties, backyard barbecues or tailgating excursions. While primarily conceived for outdoor use, the Fitted Table Cloth 10 is used by homeowners hosting large dinners inside their home as well as restaurants and other dining establishments. Further the Fitted Table Cloth 10 can be used as a trash bag such that the Fitted Table Cloth 10 can be folded up to be thrown away with any leftover trash debris on the table.
Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/255,261 filed Nov. 13, 2015, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Fitted Table Top Drop Cloth,” which is incorporated herein by reference as though the same were set forth in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62255261 | Nov 2015 | US |
